by anita edwards, guest contributor

Keeping your home clean with a house full of kids is a real challenge for every mom. There are fingerprints, tracked in dirt and mud, and spills and messes to contend with on a daily basis. Here are some simple and easy house cleaning tips to make things as easy as possible for a busy mom like you.

1.     Carpet Stains

Carpet stains are inevitable with kids and getting them out usually takes a professional. You can free your carpet of stains by mixing a 1:3 ratio of water and vinegar and applying it to the spot. Cover with a wet cloth and take an iron on steam mode to the cloth for half a minute. Repeat until all the stains are out of your carpet.

2.     Baseboard Dust

Clean baseboards can make your whole house sparkle, but it can be a tedious task. It is recommended that you use soapy warm water and a cleaning cloth to polish those baseboards to perfection. Make sure you don’t get soap and water on the walls. Wipe the baseboard clean with a dry cloth to finish the job.

3.     Sink stains

Sinks seem to be the dumping spot for everything these days. By the end of the day, they are filled with food-laden dishes, water spots, and mineral deposits. Use a pinch of baking soda, warm water, and a toothbrush to give your sink the once over. The results will be a sparkling clean sink with no trace of dirt and grime.

4.     Shower curtain mildew

Shower curtains get dirty fast. Grimy hands leave stains, and mildew grabs hold virtually overnight. The easiest way to clean your shower curtain is to pop it in the washing machine. Add some baking soda to the laundry detergent and let the washer do its magic. Hang the shower curtain in your bathroom to dry, and all memory of mildew and dirt will be gone.

5.     Greasy dishes

Greasy dishes can be a real pain to get clean, especially if you let them sit. To get these stubborn pots and pans clean, simply fill them with water and add a cup of vinegar to the mixture. Place them on the stove until the mixture boils and add a tablespoon or two of baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes and simply wipe the pot or pan with a cloth. Rinse with water and this job is complete.

6.     Messy bedrooms

Messy kids’ bedrooms can be a nightmare for any mom to deal with. It can seem like an impossible task to keep them clean, but with the help of your child, you can manage these clutter zones in a few simple steps. Get your child to collect their dirty clothes and put them in a laundry basket. This is an easy task that they can certainly complete at virtually any age. Next, grab a trash bag and remove any rubbish that has piled up. Let your child help during this process. Lastly, you’ll want your little one to put their toys and belongings away.

7.     Dirty refrigerators

Keeping your fridge free of clutter and spills can feel like a never-ending process. But you can keep this appliance clean with a little dedication. Start by removing any expired food and containers. Unplug your fridge next and use warm soapy water to clean the shelves, drawers, and storage compartments within. Use a brush to get those stubborn food spills out and use a dry cloth to wipe the fridge completely clean when you are done.

8.     Spotted glass and tile

Keeping the glass and tile within your home clean can be a time-consuming effort that never seems to end. But, if you incorporate a squeegee into your cleaning routine, you will see a major difference in the task. Use your squeegee to quickly and easily clean windows and mirrors, wipe down bath walls, and to keep shower doors clean. This simple tool is a lifesaver and will reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning your home daily.

9.     Splattered microwaves

Keeping your microwave free of food splatters is a real challenge, but it is relatively simple to get it back to its former glory. Fill a cup with water and microwave for three minutes. Let the steam from the water penetrate the inside of your microwave. This will loosen any stuck-on food and allow you to wipe it clean with just a cloth. Keeping your home clean as a busy mom doesn’t have to be difficult if you incorporate these easy tips. You’ll find that your home looks and stays cleaner, and you will finally have the time to do the activities that you always wanted like spending time with your kids.